A PRO-Europe group of Merseyside politicians and businessmen have challenged Prime Minister Tony Blair to "get off the fence" and prepare to join the euro.

A PRO-Europe group of Merseyside politicians and businessmen have challenged Prime Minister Tony Blair to "get off the fence" and prepare to join the euro.

They warned further hesitation will harm businesses across Merseyside and the North-West.

The regional arm of the Britain in Europe campaign met in Liverpool's Cunard Buildings and included Knowsley North MP George Howarth, North-West MEP Chris Davies, Liverpool councillor Jack Spriggs, John Moores, from Liverpool's Littlewoods group and former North-West MP John Lee.

Chris Davies said: "Blair has got to get off the fence and start fighting his corner.

Public support for the euro is growing. A year ago about 16% were in favour of joining, now it's up to 44% in favour.

There's a deep passion for us to be strong in the heart of Europe."It's only polital hestitation that is holding things up."

He added: "The Chancellor's great five tests for joining are spurious, drawn up n the back of a taxi. Sound the firing gun and let's get started with the campaign."

John Lee, regional chair of the group, said: "A year ago the vast majority of he population was against the euro. But there has been a massive change in public attitude. The euro has come in amazingly smoothly.

"Liverpool has always been a great trading city. The vast majority of our xports go to Europe and I believe the non-participation in Europe and the single currency will have a detrimental effect on the economy and our region."

He warned we will lose out "massively" in finance and investment if we join the Euro late: "I want us to be in at the start of the single currency and join in a wholehearted way and not limp in in years to come."